#NigeriaDecides2019: Army, Police Probe Officers Who Endorsed Buhari

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Army , police officers endorse Buhari.

The Nigeria Police Force and the military authorities say they are investigating the authenticity of photos showing some policemen and army officers endorsing President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term.

The Nigerian army and the police say they have commenced investigations into pictures of soldiers and policemen seen doing the “4 + 4” signal, President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign signature.

Pictures of the soldiers and policemen portraying the sign while on duty began circulating on social media on Friday, February 15th.

Nobody has been able to independently verify the authenticity of the pictures which generated backlash, with Nigerians accusing both security agencies of being compromised.

But reacting via separate statements, the army and the police said they were working to verify the authenticity of the pictures and to carry out action afterwards.

Sagir Musa, acting director of army public relations, said the act is against the code of conduct of the army.

“The NA wishes to dissociate itself from the picture even as it has commenced immediate investigation with the view to ascertain the source and authenticity of the pictures and the “soldiers’ involved,” he said.

“If the outcome of the investigation comfirm this to be true, appropriate sanctions would be provided. NA of today under the command of Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai do not condone or encourage indiscipline and any form of professional misconduct.

“On many occasions, the Chief of Army Staff has made it strongly clear that Army personnel will remain neutral, totally apolitical and will not compromise its constitutional roles under any guise.”

The force on its part tweeted that the Inspector-General of Police has charged the digital and forensic unit of the police to investigate the authenticity of the photo, “to ascertain whether it’s real or photo-shopped.”

“The outcome of the investigation and appropriate actions will be made known to the public,” it wrote.

The IGP M.A Adamu has charged the Digital and Forensic Unit of @PoliceNG to investigate the authenticity of this photo, to ascertain whether it's real or photo-shopped. The outcome of the investigation and appropriate actions will be made known to the public. https://t.co/BkMrdjQRm5